FRMF declines to expedite CAN 2025 final procedure at CAS, standoff continues
via Le Matin2 min read
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation FRMF and the Confederation of African Football CAF have rejected the Senegalese Football Federation's request to fast-track the proceedings regarding the CAN 2025 final at the Court of Arbitration for Sport CAS. This decision, based on Article R44.4 of the Code of Sports Arbitration, emphasizes that acceleration requires the consent of all parties involved. The FRMF's veto aims to ensure a thorough investigation, preventing a rushed 60-day procedure that could compromise the truth by limiting the hearing of match officials and in-depth analysis of the CAF disciplinary committee's reports. Moroccan officials believe the seriousness of the events during the final necessitates rigor and careful consideration. This extended timeline also allows Moroccan national football to approach upcoming events, such as the 2026 World Cup, without the distraction of an externally imposed judicial calendar. The FRMF's strategy, which could see the final ruling by late 2026 or early 2027, seeks to secure the Kingdom's achievements and avoid unnecessary complications before the global football event. While Senegal pushes for a quicker resolution, Morocco relies on the strength of its case, asserting that the African champion is established through adherence to rules, not urgency. The FRMF's approach at Lausanne demonstrates its ability to manage sensitive issues and defend national football interests authoritatively.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Matin.
The governments of the Kingdom of Morocco and the French Republic will hold the 15th session of the Morocco-France High-Level Meeting on Thursday in Rabat. This session reinforces the exceptional and strengthened partnership between Morocco and France, guided by the two heads of state, King Mohammed VI and French President Emmanuel Macron, according to a statement from the Department of the Head of Government.
National coach Mohamed Ouahbi addressed recent comments from Sofyan Amrabat's family regarding the player's lack of playing time, adopting a calm and educational approach during a press conference. Ouahbi dismissed any notion of a major issue, attributing the frustration to a player eager for more time on the field and a family concerned about seeing him on the bench. He drew on his experience working with youth players and their parents, stating he understands the emotions involved. Ouahbi praised Amrabat's character and commitment, noting that despite his disappointment about not playing, Amrabat consistently trained hard. He explained that Amrabat's reduced playing time was due to strong competition from other emerging talents like Bouaddi, El Aynaoui, and El Mourabet. By handling the situation with detachment and avoiding direct confrontation, Ouahbi preserved team unity and left the door open for Amrabat, an essential figure in the locker room, to continue contributing to the National Team.
Must ReadMorocco is increasingly recognized as a credible and ambitious player in the energy transition, according to Samir Rachidi, Director General of the Institute for Research in Solar Energy and New Energies IRESEN. A new 146-page collective work, "Moroccan Energy Diplomacy in the Euro-Mediterranean and Atlantic Space," published by Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung and edited by Steven H枚fner and Rabii El Bacha, highlights how energy has become a foreign policy instrument for Morocco over the past decade. The book, featuring eight Moroccan legal experts and researchers, examines the intersection of law, geopolitics, and engineering. The publication traces this strategic shift back to the 2014 Morocco-European Union summit, where King Mohammed VI advocated for a controlled, secure, and sustainable Euro-Mediterranean energy policy. Morocco is now evolving into an energy integration platform to strengthen regional cooperation. Key infrastructure projects underscore this ambition. Morocco is the first African country physically connected to the European electricity grid, with the initial Morocco-Spain link established in 1997. A second circuit doubled its capacity to 1,400 MW, jointly financed by Spain's Red Electrica and Morocco's ONEE. A third interconnection is under study. The Sila Atlantik project, backed by Berlin and Xlinks, aims to deliver 3.6 GW of renewable electricity to Germany via two 4,800-kilometer subsea cables, supported by 15 GW of solar and wind capacity in Morocco. This p